Covering the bases: Does Medicare cover counseling?

Amy Rubino

It grieves me to ask my question to your paper. I must be very honest; I am overwhelmingly shocked, hurt and terrified by the recent tragedy. My heart breaks for the loss of our friends and neighbors Rob Hiaasen, Wendi Winters, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Gerald Fischman. I am old and not able to get around like I once did. My family is close by to help out, but one of my treasured “independent” rituals was my daily walk down my driveway for my paper. I cherished the articles that kept me connected to the people and events in my community.

This event has changed my life. I cannot sleep or eat. I cry at the drop of a hat. I really need help coping with the reality that no community is really safe. I recently disclosed to my daughter that I am struggling. We went to see my primary care physician. She wants me to receive counseling. It is a good idea. However, in 2007, after the loss of my husband, I went to see a counselor. Medicare only covered 50 percent of the charges. I decided to “buck up” and deal with things (but, in retrospect, that was not a good choice). I think I need to be serious about getting help. My neighbor said Medicare is better, these days, about covering counseling. Please help clarify Medicare coverage of counseling.

Thank you for your letter. We, as a community, are grieving. Your feelings are shared by many as we struggle to adjust to a brutal reality that these amazing people are gone. I hope your letter resonates with those gallantly attempting to “buck up” but are not coping with this senseless tragedy. Please be assured that help is available.

Medicare has come a long way in covering mental health. You are correct — prior to 2008, Medicare did not cover mental health care to the same extent as physical health care. Medicare paid 80 percent for physical health care and only 50 percent for mental health care. In 2008 a law was passed that phased in mental health parity. By 2014, Medicare began covering mental health care at the same rate as physical health care. Once you meet your yearly $183 deductible for outpatient care, Medicare will pay for 80 percent of Medicare-approved mental health counseling. The booklet “Medicare and Your Mental Health Benefits” is available online at medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-Medicare. You will also want to find a counselor who is enrolled into Medicare. This information is available online at medicare.gov/physiciancompare or by calling 1-800-Medicare.

If any reader is struggling with their emotions and feels that they are at a crisis level and could possibly harm themselves or someone else, please know that specially trained counselors are available through the Anne Arundel County Crisis Response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 410-768-5522.

Again, thank you for your honest and poignant letter. We are all in this together, and together we will help one another cope with the loss of these amazing people.

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Jarren Jasper, son of Navy Football Offensive Coordinator Ivin Jasper and Donna Jasper, underwent a heart transplant and gives an update on his condition.

Jarren Jasper, son of Navy Football Offensive Coordinator Ivin Jasper and Donna Jasper, underwent a heart transplant and gives an update on his condition.

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Jarren Jasper, son of Navy Football Offensive Coordinator Ivin Jasper and Donna Jasper, underwent a heart transplant and gives an update on his condition.

Jarren Jasper, son of Navy Football Offensive Coordinator Ivin Jasper and Donna Jasper, underwent a heart transplant and gives an update on his condition.

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Doctor Devinder Singh, a plastic surgeon at the Anne Arundel Medical Group, discusses a new way to insert breast implants in breast cancer patients over the pectoral muscle instead of under it.

Doctor Devinder Singh, a plastic surgeon at the Anne Arundel Medical Group, discusses a new way to insert breast implants in breast cancer patients over the pectoral muscle instead of under it.

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The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis and the American Red Cross hosted the first Wendi Winters Memorial Blood Drive on Sept. 15, 2018, at the Wiley Bates Middle School in Annapolis. About 175 donors signed up to give and many more walked in for the event.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis and the American Red Cross hosted the first Wendi Winters Memorial Blood Drive on Sept. 15, 2018, at the Wiley Bates Middle School in Annapolis. About 175 donors signed up to give and many more walked in for the event.

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"Elder orphans" Raymond Gene Keener, 88, and his son, David Keener, 64, who have no local family to take care of them, are able to stay in their Millersville home with the help of Right at Home, which provides in home care, instead of them needing to go to a assisted living or nursing home.

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Gov. Larry Hogan, who just had skin cancer removed from his face, speaks about it at a Maryland Dermatologic Society skin care screening event in the Maryland House of Delegates office building.

Gov. Larry Hogan, who just had skin cancer removed from his face, speaks about it at a Maryland Dermatologic Society skin care screening event in the Maryland House of Delegates office building.